Eating with dentures: continue to enjoy your food

Eating should remain one of life’s little pleasures. However, when we start using dentures, we have to get used to new sensations; chewing may feel different and we may find that we no longer fancy certain foods. In this article, Farmaciasdirect shares some tips to help you regain your confidence and enjoy your meals once again.

How to eat with dentures without any worries

Getting used to eating with dentures requires a period of adjustment that involves a learning process. When you first start wearing them, it’s normal to feel some discomfort, produce more saliva or pay closer attention to chewing, but this will change over time. To begin with, we recommend starting with small portions and choosing soft-textured foods cut into small pieces. It’s best to chew slowly and, wherever possible, use both sides of your mouth. The fit of your dentures also affects your confidence when eating; one solution is Corega Max Fix. This is an adhesive that will help keep your dentures securely in place throughout the day, giving you greater confidence when speaking and/or eating. Remember that, for the product to work, you must use it correctly:

• Clean and dry your dentures.
• Apply a small amount of the product to the area of the dentures that will rest against your gums (do not apply the adhesive near the edges of the dentures to prevent the product from leaking out).
• Place the dentures in your mouth and press firmly for 5–15 seconds to allow the product to adhere.
• Wait a few minutes before drinking or eating to allow the dentures to set properly.

Tooth loss and chewing: why the way you eat changes

Tooth loss significantly alters the way you chew. Teeth break down food before it reaches the digestive system, so if teeth are missing, it becomes more difficult to process certain textures. Dental dentures are designed to restore chewing function as much as possible, but adapting to them is not immediate, and some foods (hard, sticky or fibrous) may prove particularly challenging at first. This does not mean that your diet will be more restricted when you start using dentures; we therefore recommend adapting how you prepare your food and choosing the most suitable texture to ensure a varied and enjoyable diet:

• Cut meat into small pieces and choose the tenderest cuts.
• Cook vegetables until they have a texture that is easy to chew.
• Eat ripe or soft fruit, or purée it.
• Avoid hard or sticky foods.
• Chew slowly.

Loss of appetite with age: how to rediscover the pleasure of eating

Loss of appetite is a sensation or symptom that can arise for various reasons and should not automatically be associated with age. Tiredness and fatigue, stress, sleep disturbances, hormonal problems, changes in taste or smell, digestive problems, certain medicines, difficulty swallowing or mood can all influence the desire to eat. It is true that, when chewing causes discomfort or makes you feel insecure, you tend to avoid certain foods and gradually reduce the variety in your diet. Regaining the desire and pleasure in eating is not a complicated task; it is simply a matter of making meals comfortable, appetising and easy to eat. Here are some tips that may help:

• Pay attention to presentation; make the dish more appealing.
• Enhance the flavour with aromatic herbs, spices or different cooking methods.
• Eat small portions.
• Don’t neglect your protein intake (eggs, fish, tender meat, pulses, dairy products, etc.).

Be aware of any loss of appetite; if this is persistent or getting worse, you should consult your doctor.

Meals for older people: soft and nutritious foods

We often associate meals for older people with boring food limited to purées and soups, but it doesn’t have to be that way. When there are problems with chewing, soft foods allow for a varied diet and make eating easier. The key is to combine texture, flavour and nutritional value.

Some food options you can include in your menu are:

• Fish. Steamed, baked or in juicy dishes.
• Eggs. In any form: fried, boiled, in an omelette, soft-boiled…
• Pulses. Well cooked or puréed.
• Vegetables. Boiled, roasted or puréed.
• Potatoes, rice and pasta. Cooked and served with sauces to add moisture.
• Ripe fruit or compotes
• Yoghurt and dairy products
• Tender meat, shredded or stewed

If you’re just starting to use dentures and need advice on how to improve their hold or choose the adhesive that best suits you and your needs, our team of pharmacists can offer you personalised advice.